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 Chance of Rain 16°/-1° | Chance of Rain 8°/-2° |  Partly Cloudy 11°/2° |
Listings to get the most out of the city: where to dine, what to see, where to shop, and more.
Roundhouse Lodge photo by Toshi Kawano courtesy Tourism British Columbia
Peak-to-Peak Eats
Looking to satisfy hunger cravings between runs? Find fabulous fare—and to-die-for views—on top of both mountains. On Whistler, savour West Coast cuisine at Steep’s Grill or head to the spacious Roundhouse Lodge (pictured). On Blackcomb, Christine’s boasts a full-service menu at 1,859 m (6,100 ft), while at the cozy Crystal Hut log cabin, comfort food arrives straight from the wood-burning oven.—Jennifer Patterson
"Consolation" by Linda Wilder
Top Notch
With gorgeous paintings by Canadian artists such as Linda Wilder (“Consolation,” pictured) lining the walls, it’s little wonder Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont won the Fine Art category in our 2011 Where to Shop Awards. This winter, keep an eye out for works exploring the mountain culture and landscape by 12 major artists, including Corrinne Wolcoski and Robert Genn.—Kristina Urquhart
More information:
MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT Fairmont Chateau Whistler, 4599 Chateau Blvd. 604-935-1862. www.mountaingalleries.com
Photo by Randy Lincks courtesy Tourism British Columbia
Green Dreams
Achieving a zero operating footprint may be a lofty goal, but we’d say the Whistler Blackcomb resort is well on its way. Efficient lighting and a hydro project that produces the equivalent of the resort’s annual energy demand are just some of the ways Whistler Blackcomb is going green. Since 2000, the resort has reduced waste by 60 per cent and, in 2011, it was named one of Canada’s greenest employers for the third year in a row. Visit www.whistlerblackcomb.com for more information.—Kristina Urquhart
Photo by Steve Rogers courtesy Tourism Whistler
Nordic Nirvana
Downhill skiers and snowboarders tend to receive most of the attention in Whistler, but the cross-country skiers don’t mind. It just means less-crowded terrain for them. Fans of Nordic skiing head to the 56 km (35 mi) of pristine cross-country trails in Whistler Olympic Park, or the 32 km (20 mi) of trails in Lost Lake Park, to work up a sweat—and enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.—Sheri Radford
More information:
WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK 5 Callaghan Valley Rd. 604-964-0060 or toll-free 1-877-764-2455. www.whistlerolympicpark.com
We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your top spots to shop.
Whistler Village photo copyright Hartemink/Dreamstime.com
Apparel
Roots.
Honourable Mentions
Lululemon.
Hatley Scoops.
Fine Art
Mountain Galleries.
Honourable Mentions
Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery.
The Plaza Galleries.
Black Tusk Gallery.
Outdoor Gear
The North Face.
Honourable Mentions
Affinity Sports.
Escape Route.
Souvenirs
Cows Whistler.
Honourable Mentions
The Trading Post. 604-938-6204.
Sea to Sky Souvenirs. 604-932-3201.
Spa
Scandinave Spa.
Honourable Mentions
The Spa at the Four Seasons.
Vida Spa.
To vote for next year’s winners, visit www.where.ca/whistler.
To see Vancouver’s winners, visit www.where.ca/vancouver.
Photo of bobsleigh courtesy Tourism British Columbia
By Sheri Radford
If you’ve ever dreamed of hurtling along an icy track at 135 km/hr (85 mi/hr), here’s your chance. The Whistler Sliding Centre offers two-hour bobsleigh rides and skeleton slides for adrenaline junkies. After gearing up, you rocket down the track like a pro, experiencing what it must have felt like to compete in the 2010 Winter Games here. Although there’s no need to be an Olympic athlete to embark on these heart-pounding adventures, they’re not for the faint of heart, either. If you’d rather leave the speed to the professionals, check out the FIL Luge World Cup (www.fil-luge.org) on Dec. 9 or the FIBT Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup (www.fibt.com) on Feb. 2.
More information:
WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE 4910 Glacier Lane. 604-964-0040. whistlerslidingcentre.com
Baby, it’s cold outside. After a chilly day on the slopes, Whistler offers lots of activities to get your mercury rising
By Kristina Urquhart
The outdoor fire pit at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler's Mallard Lounge and Terrace. Photo by Randy Lincks courtesy Tourism British Columbia
HOT
Whether you’ve been slaloming down a black-diamond ski run or shopping in Whistler Village, duck into a coffee shop for a reprieve from the cold air. Locals love the beans at Lift Coffee Company and Moguls Coffee House, as well as the brews at DavidsTea—which stocks a wood-smoke-scented tea for those determined to warm up.
HOTTER
When a hot cuppa won’t cut it, try a roaring fire to warm your tootsies. Two fire pits at The Mallard Lounge and Terrace add a romantic ambience to live entertainment, and the leather chairs flanking the fireplace at Dubh Linn Gate make for cozy rest stops. Still feeling chilly? A heavenly spa treatment might do the trick. At Scandinave Spa, immerse yourself in warm soaking pools, sweltering saunas and steam baths. Or go for a hot stone massage, which is also offered at several village spots including Vida Spa. (more…)
Photo courtesy Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery
Watch local artists at work during Painting at the Peak III, Adele Campbell Gallery’s open-air art demonstration on Whistler Mountain (Aug 13). Worth a second look: Vancouverite Michael O’Toole, whose Impressionist-style landscapes are also on display at the gallery (“Evening at Anthony Island,” pictured).—Kristina Urquhart
Dip in the baths at Scandinave Spa
Indulge in some much-needed rest and relaxation at Scandinave Spa. Visit the eucalyptus steam room followed by a dip in the Nordic waterfall. Sweat it out in the Finnish sauna then head for a massage. End the day with a nap in a hammock. Whatever’s on the agenda, it’s time well spent.—Jennifer Patterson
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